Divided fountain



Filed Ndv. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheef NVE-NT c: ;y WQb/h (az 7% 43 ;uamTTowgu- E. w. WORTHINGTON Dec. 2, 1947.

DIVIDED FOUNTAIN Filed Nov. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MTTOQ EVJ PatentedDec. 2, 1947 2,43,9oo DIVIDED FOUNTAIN Emory W. Wortlingt-on, Chicago,Ill., assigor to Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application November 27, 1944, Serial No.565,203

16 claims.

The present invention pertains to improvements in divided ink fountainssuitable for use in magazine or other printing presses.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a, dividedfountain, that is to say, one

having one or more adjustably located partitions for compartmenting thefountain to receive different colors or types of ink, and which embodiesa novel and superior arrangement for sealing the same against leakage ofink between adjacent compartments. u

More particularly, I aim to provide such an apparatus utilizing longlife metal-to-metal type scaling along a major portion of the length ofthe partition edges which must be sealed, coupled with provision foreffectual sealing, through the use of a pad or the like ofpliant-material, in the zone adjacent the adlustable blade whichregulates the thickness of'ink film on roller in such devices.

In a somewhat more specificeaspect, it is 'an object to provide an inkfountain; having an overshot type fountain roller and coactingregulating blade, with a novel and effectual arrangement forcompartmenting the fountain through use' of partitions extendingtransaxially of the roller and adjustable axially of the same.

The invention also resides in various novel correlations of theelements, and structural improvements therein, by means of which emcientsealing and long life for the apparatus are attained.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following de scription proceeds, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a printing press ink fountainembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudifal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 2- 2 in Fig. 1. y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the fountain,taken through one of the adjustable partitions. I

' Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the the fountainfountains. Since in its more specific aspects it is, however,particularly applicable to overshot fountains, the type which hasincidentally proved most difllcult in the past to equip with dividingpartitions, the invention has -been illustrated herein as applied to theovershot type. It should be understood, however, that even though oneparticular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in some detail, there is no intention to thereby limit theinvention to such particular embodiment. On the other hand, theintention is to cover all modifications, adaptati'ons and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the specific embodiment of theinventionillustrated in the drawings for purposesof exemplification, theapparatus there shown (seeFigs. 1 and 2) includes an ink fountain or pano of generally trough shape in which an overshot fountain roller llrevolves. The fountain o comprises end plates |2 fixed to a cast body"i3 having a flat bottom H and inclined flat side faces or walls [5, IE.The purpose'of providing a fountain with inclined flat side walls or, inother words. tapering cross secpartitions included in the fountain ofFigs. 1 to 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail sectional views taken substantiallyalong the lines 5-5 and 6-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view of the metal scalingstrip coacting with the fountain roller and its associated spring.

The invention is, in its broader aspects, applicable either to overshotor undershot type tion 'as shown, will appear hereinafter. The fountainroller ll is journaled in suitable bearings, one oi: which is indicatedat l'l'in Fig. 2, located at opposite ends of the fountain; and duringoperation the roller revolves in a counterclockwise direction (as viewedin Fig. 1).

Extending"longitudinally of the fountain roller II is a regulating bladeIB which serves to limit the thickness of the film of ink carried by thepartially submerged fountain roller I I to a pickup roller s. 'The blade|8 is carried on the u'nderside of a supporting channel 20, the portionof the blade remote from the roller being clamped to the underside ofthe channel by a retaining strip 2l. The usual adjusting screws 22threaded in the channel or housing 20 and operated by finger pieces 23bear against the upper side of the blade |8 at equally spaced intervalsalong the lat ter's length and serve to ii'ex the blade adjustablytoward and from the fountain roller. In the noroperation, poses aparticularly diflicult problem of sealing in that area for any insertedpartition.

Pursuant to the aim of the present invention, provision is made fordividing the fountain o into separate compartments distributedlongitudinally of the fountain roller ll. For that purpose one or morepartitions 25 are removably mounted in the fountain in position toextend transaxially of the roller and are adjustable longitudinally ofthe latter to vary, at will, the size of the several compartments whichthey define. Since all of the partitions'may be identical, a descriptionof one will suffice., In the form shown, the partition 25 is split intoupper and lower sections 26, 21, Secured together by screws 28 (see Fig.3). The parting line between the two sections is so located that thelower section embraces slightly less than one-half the circumference ofthe fountain roller ll, while the upper section extends from the lowersection to a point immediately beneath the regulating blade !8.

To secure the partition 25 in place, c-shaped clamps 29 are fixed to itsopposite ends and arranged to embrace the marginal or lip portions ofthe fountain o. screws 30 threaded in these clamps engage the undersidesof the fountain lips. Upon loosening these screws the partition canreadily be slid endwise of the fountain roller to Shift the position ofthe partition.

The partition 25 is made of metal, as is the fountain o, so thatametal-to-metal seal is afforded between the lower edges of the partitionand the abutting surfaces of the fountain. Such edges and surfaces areaccurately machined to flat contour, and the fountain is of uniformcross section in a direction axially of the fountain roller ll.Moreover, the exterior of the roller H is itself of smooth cylindricalcontour. Accordingly, the partitionscan be'freely slid endwise of theroller and will fit equally well at any point along its length. Thetapering cross-sectional shape of the fountain body or, in other words,the provision of outwardly inclined faces l5, !6, makes it possible forthe clamp screws 30 to draw the .partition down into the fountain withmore or less of a wedging action to enhance the sealing effect. On theother hand, when the screws 30 are loosened the partition can readily befreed suiciently from the surfaces of the fountain to permit adjustingmovement of the partition.

A metal-to-metal seal is also afiorded between the lower partitionsection 21 and the fountain roller ll. For that purpose a metal sealingstrip 31 resembling a sector of a piston ring, is employed, this stripbeing curved to conform to the peripheral contour of the fountainroller. The strip 3l is seated in a groove 32 in the edge of the lowerpartition section 21, being retained against lateral displacement' bythe side walls of such groove, and the outer "end of the strip isoverlaid by the tail of the lefthand clamp 29 the strip in a directionclockwise of the fountain roller. A sheet metal spring 33 of undulatoryor wavy shape is interposed between the bottom of :the groove 32 and thesealing strip 3l so as to 'urge the latter into contact with thefountain sealing in the corner of the partition 25 between the blade andrgller. To accommodate such movement while still retaining an effectualseal at that point, a pad or strip 34 of pliant sealing material islocated in a groove 35 extending about the entire edge of the uppercorner portion of the upper partition section 26. Various materials maybe used for the pad 34, such, for example, as felt or rubber. In thepreferred arrangement illustrated, the pad is laminated, con sisting oftwo strips of felt joined by a layer of synthetic rubber (neoprene) Thepliant sealing pad 34 extends from the adjacent end of the metal sealingstrip 3l upward about the periphery of the fountain roller to theregulatng blade [8, and thence outward beneath the blade forapproximately one-half the width of the latter. The pad 34 issufficiently yieldable that the regulating blade |8 may be flexedwithout substantial interference and yet the pad is sufficientlyresilient that it remains in contact with the blade, as well as thefountain roller, at all times.

By arrangement of the pliant pad 34 as a single strip supported on aseparate section 26 of the partition, replacement of the same is madeeasy. All that is required is to unscrew the section 28 and put a newstrip in the groove 35. Such ease of replacement for this particularpart is especially desirable sinceof all the sealing elements shown, itis most subject to deterioration, either through wear or loss ofresiliency.

The metal strip or sealing ring sector 3l coacts with the pliant pad 34in retaining the latter in intimate contact with both the fountainroller and. regulating blade. As to that, it will be observed (see Fig.3) that the forward end of the metal strip 3l abuts against theacljacent lower end of the pad. As thefountain roller rotates in itsusual counterclockwise direction or, in other words, in a. direction topass the metal sealing ring and pad, in that order, the frictional dragi of the fountain roller on the metal strip 3l urges the latterconstantly toward the pliant pad. In consequence, the metal strip servesto crowd or urge the pliant pad constantly toward the opposed face ofthe regulating blade and to'buckle it outward slightly toward theroller.

Provision is desirably made for lubricating the Contacting surfaces ofthe seal and fountain roller to prevent sticking or scoring of thelatter. For that purpose grease or other suitable lubricant is suppliedthrough a passage 36 in the partition 25 equipped with a conventionalsupply fitting 31.

' (see Fig. 3) so as to limit the displacement of This passage leads tothe groove 32 in which the sealing strip and spring 3l, 33 are seatedand the grease emerges from this groove through small transverse holes38 drilled at intervals in the strip 3I. A shallow groove 39 in the faceof the sealing strip 3! interconnects these holes so as to provide forflow of grease the full length of the strip. Some of the greasepresented 'n this groove is carried by the fountain roller o the face ofthe pliant pad 34 so that it too is adequately lubricated.

The operation of the disclosed apparatus will in general be clear fromthe foregoing. By way of brief recapitulation it may be noted that thefountain w is equipped with any desired number of partitions 25. Insetting up the press for a particularrun the clamp screws are loosenedand the partitions adjusted to divide the fountain into.

` compartments of desired length. Retightenng of the screws clamps thepartitions firmly in position. The dividing partitions are located insuch manner that inks of various colors or types may be supplied in theresulting divided portions of the fountain to corresponding portions ofthe fountain roller and i! desired some one or more of the compartmentsbetween partitions may be left empty entirely if that width of the pressis to be unused.

Having initially set the partitions 25 in desired position any flow ofink past them is efiectually prevented since there is a full andeifectual seal not only between the partition and fountain body butalso'between the partition and all portions of the fountain roller lland regulating blade |8 which might be contacted by the bodies of inkcontained in the successive compartments of the fountain. Other thansupplying lubricant from time to time by applying a grease gun to thefitting 31, the sealing apparatus requires no further attention duringuse, irrespective of changes in adjustment of the regulating blade I 8.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a rotatable overshot type fountain roller, afountain shaped to present a contained body of ink beneath said rollerwith the roller partially submerged in the body of ink and out ofcontact with the walls of the fountain, a regulatin'g blade extendingalong one side of said roller above the normal ink level, a partitionextending across the interior of said fountain beneath said roller andrising to a point immediately beneath said blade on said one side ofsaid roller and to a point above the normal ink level on the oppositeside, the edge of said partition presented to said roller and bladebeing closely spaced with reference thereto and having a continuousgroove therein extending about the roller periphery concentricallytherewith and thence otuward of said roller beneath the lower face ofsaid blade, a metal sealing strip shaped as the secto'r of a ringreceived in the portion of said groove remote from said blade andpartially encircling said roller, means yieldably urging said strip intocontact with said roller, a strip of pliant scaling material seated inthe remaining portion of said groove and contacting the portions of saidroller and blade opposed thereto, the adjacent ends of and a. pad ofpliant sealing material .interposed between said second partitionsection and the adjacent portion of said roller as well as the lowerface of said blade.

3. The combinaton of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountaintherefor presenting a regulatng blade to'the periphery of said roller, apartition insaid fountain extending transaxially of said roller andpresenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closelyspaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portionextending into the space between said roller and the face of said bladetoward which said roller rotates, said partition having a groove in theedge portions thereof presented to said roller, a metal scaling strip'seated in said groove and curved to embrace said roller in runningcontact with the latter and extending to a point spaced from said faceof said blade, and a pad of pliant sealing material extending from theend of said metal strip at said point about the edge of"sald angularportion of said partition in contact with said roller and said face ofsaid blade.

4. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountaintherefor presenting a regulatin'g blade to the periphery of said roller,a partition in` said fountain extending transaxiallyvof said roller andpresenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closelyspaced relation to the same, said partition insaid scaling strips beingabutted together, and the frictional drag of said roller on said 'metalstrip incident to rotation of said roller serving to shove said metalstrip endwise along said groove toward said pliant strip and therebycrowd the latter into contact with said roller and blade.

2. The combination of a rotatable overshot type metal fountain roller,a. fountain shaped .to present a contained body of ink beneath saidroller with the roller partially submerged in the ink and out of contactwith the walls of the fountain, a regulating blade extending along oneside of said roller above the normal ink level, a first partitionsection extending across said fountain beneath said roller and risingfrom the bottom of the fountain to a point above the normal ink level onthe side of said roller opposite said blade, said partition sectionbeing notched out to embrace the periphery of said roller in closelyspaced relation throughout not more than half the circumference of thelatter, a second partition section detachably secured to the top edge ofsaid first section in alignment therewith beneath said blade andextending in closely spaced relation to said rollr about the latter'speripheryfrom said first section upward to a point adjacent said bladeand thence outward beneath the lower face of the latter, means forming ametal-to-metal seal between said first partition section and saidroller,

cluding an angular portion extending into the space between said rollerand the face of said blade toward which said roller rotates, said par-,

tition having a groove in the ed e portion .thereof adjacent saidroller, an arcate metal scaling strip seated in said groove embracingsaid roller in running contact with the latter and extending to a pointspaced from said face of said blade, a pad of pliant scaling materialextending from the end of said metal strip at said point about the edgeof said angular portion of said partition in contact with said rollerand said face of said blade, and said strip being abutted against theadjacent end of said pad whereby the frictional drag on said strip bysaid'roller incident to rotation of the latter serves to displace saidstrip endwise toward said pad and retain the latter crowded into contactwith both said roller and blade.

5. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountaintherefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller.a partition in said fountain extendin transaxially of said roller andpresenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closelyspaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portionextending into the space between said roller and the face of said bladetoward which said roller rotates, said partition having a continuousgroove in the edge portion thereof extending about said roller andbeneath said blade, an arcuate metal sealing strip seated in said grooveembracing said roller and extending to a, point spaced from said face ofsaid blade, an undulatory spring interposed in said groove beneath saidstrip for yieldably urging the atter into running contact with saidroller with substantially uniform pre'ssure throughout the length ofsaid strip, an elongated pad of pliant scaling material also seated insaid groove and extending from the end of said metal strip at said pointabout the edge of said angular portion of said partition in contact withsaid roller and said face of said blade, and said strip 'being abuttedagainst the adjacent end of said pad whereby the irictional drag on saidstrip by said roller incident to rotation of the latter serves todisplace said strip endwise toward said pad and retain the lattercrowded into contact with both said roller and blade.

6. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountaintherefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller,a partition in said fountain extending transaxially-of said roller andpresenting an edge at least partially embracing such roller in closelyspaced relation to the same, a pad of pliant sealing material interposedbetween said partition edge and said roller on the side of said bladetoward which the roller rotates and with said pad extending into contactwith the adjacent face of said blade, and means subjected to frictionaldra from the periphery of said roller in th e course of the latter'srotation for constantly urging said pad toward said blade;

7. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, thecombination of a Compartmentationpartition dimensioned for insertion inthe fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edgecontoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partiallyembracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edgeof said partition having a groove therein extending along the samecircumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in saidgroove and fashioned as a sector of a ring curved in conformity with theperiphery of the roller, and

resilient means lying within said groove behindsaid sealing strip forapplying pressure radially inward and hearing against said strip alongsubstantially the entire length thereof so that said strip is squeezedradially in/to firm running contact with the roller.

' 8. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, thecombination of a Compartmentationpartition dimensioned for' insertion inthe fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a, curved edgecontoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partiallyembracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edgeof the partition having a groove therein extending along the samecircumferentially of the roller, an arcuate metal sealing strip in theform of a sector of a ring received in said groove and conforming incurvature with the periphery of the roller, means including a spring ofundulatory shape lying in said groove beneath said strip and extendingsubstantially the full length of the latter for applying substantiallyequal forces radially inward at spaced points along said strip and foryieldably urging such strip into firm running contact with the rollerand with substantially uniform pressure between roller and stripthroughout the length .of the latter.

9. The combination of an ink fountain having a revoluble fountainroller, at least a portion of the surface of said roller being of smoothuninterrupted cylindrical shape, a divider partition in said fountainpositioned transaxially of the roller and slidably adjustable inposition in the fountain in a direction axially of said rollerthroughout substantially the length of said smooth portion of thelatter, means for releasablyretaining said partition in various adjustedpositions therefor, the edge of said partition presented to said rollerhaving an arcuate notch therein conforming to the curvature of theroller periphery and spaced from the latter, said edge oi' the partitionbeing grooved circumferentially of'the roller, a metal sealing stripreceived in said groove and Iashioned as a sector of a ring curved toembrace the portion of the roller presented thereto, and resilient meanslying within said groove behind said sealing strip, said resilient meansproviding a, plurality of pressure-exerting portions in contact withsaid strip at spaced points therealong and independently exertingpressure radially inward, so that said 'strip is urged radially intofirm running contact with said roller throughout the length of thestrip.

10. The combination of an ink fountain having a revoluble fountainroller, at least a portion of the surface of said roller being of smoothuninterrupted cylindrical shape, a divider partition in said fountainpositioned transaxially of the roller and slidably adjustable inposition in the fountain in a'direction axially of said rollerthroughout substantially the length of said smooth portion of thelatter, means for releasably retaining said partition in variousadjusted positions therefor, the edge of said partition presented tosaid roller having an arcuate notch therein conforming to the curvatureof the roller periphery and spaced from the latter, said edge of thepartition being grooved circumferentially of the roller, a metal sealingstrip received in said groove and fashioned as a sector of a ring curvedto embrace the portion of the roller presented thereto, and meansincluding a spring of undulatory shape lying in said groove beneath saidstrip and extending substantially the full length of the latter forapplying substantially equal forces radially inward at spaced pointsalong said strip and for yieldably urging such strip into firm runningcontact With the roller throughout its length and in all positions ofadjustment of said partition longitudinally of said roller.

ll. The combination of a generally troughshaped ink fountain having anovershot fountain roller rotatable therein, said fountain presenting apair of opposed downwardly and inwardly sloping flat side walls and theinterior of said fountain being of uniform cross section in a directionaxially of said roller, a transverse partition disposed in said fountainfor positional adjustment axially of said roller and extending beneathsaid roller and rising on each side thereof above' the normal ink level,the lower edge of said partition being shaped to extend between theinterior walls of said fountain and to fit snugly against them,yieldable means for sealing the edge of said partition presented to saidroller against the leakage of ink between said edge and said roller, andreleasable clamping means carried by said partition andengageable withsaid fountain for wedgingly forcing said partition downwardly withreference to said sloping walls of said fountain.

12. The combination of a generally troughshaped ink fountain having anovershot fountain roller rotatable therein, regulating blade extendingalong one side of said roller above the normal ink level, said fountainpresenting downwardwardly and inwardly sloping flat side walls and aflat bottom wall, the interior of said fountain being of uniform crosssection in a direction axially of said roller, a transverse partitiondisposed in said fountain for pos'itional adjustment endwise of saidroller, said partition extending.

the edge portion thereof adjacent said roller, an arcuate metal sealingstrip seated in said groove to said roller, means yieldably urging saidstrip into running contact with said roller, a pad of pliant scalingmaterial extending about the corner of said partition at the point ofadjacency of blade and roller, the lower edge of said partition beingshaped to fit snugly against the interier walls of said fountain, andreleasable clamping means carried by said partition and engageable withsa d fountain for wedgingly forcing 'said partition downwardly withreference to said sloping walls of said fountain.

13. The combination of a generally troughin embracing relation shapedink fountain having an overshot fountain 4 roller rotatable th'erein,said fountain presenting a pair of opposed downwardly and inwardlysloping flat side walls, a transverse partition in said fountainslidably adjustable endwise of the fountain, said partition being ofwedge-shaped configuration registering with and bridging said opposedsloping side walls, clamping means for pressing said partition downwardinto the fountain into tight sealing engagement with the latter, andscaling means carried by the edge portion of said partition presented tothe roller and partially embracing the latter for preventing the leakageof liquid along said roller past said partition, said clamping elementsengaging the respective ends of said partition so that any tendency ofsaid partition to translate down the associated wall upon tightening ofone of said elements to produce jamming engagement at said sealing meansis efiectively resisted by the remaining clamping element.

14. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, thecombination of a compartmentation partition dimensioned for insertion inthe fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edgecontoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partiallyembracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edgeof said partition having a groove thereln extending along the samecircumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in saidgroove and curved in conformity with the periphery of the roller, meansfor yieldably urging said strip into firm running contact with theroller, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes thereinopening into a shallow groove in the face of said strip presented to theroller, and said partition having a lubricant supply passage thereinopening into the first-mentioned groove, whereby lubricant from saidpassage may flow into said flrst-mentioned groove and through said holesto emerge into said shallow groove in said strip for lubricating thesurface 01.' the latter contacting the roller.

v 15. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, thecombination 'of a compartmentation partition dimensioned for insertionin the fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edgecontoured to conform to 'the periphery of the roller and partiallyembracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edgeof said partition having a groove therein extending along the samecircumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in saidgroove and curved in conformity with the periphery of the roller, meansfor yieidably urging said strip into firm running contact with theroller, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes thereinopening to the face thereof presented to the rol-ler, and means forsupplying lubricant to said groove for passage of the same through saidholes.

16. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountaintherefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller,a partition in said fountain extending transaxially of said roller andpresenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closelyspaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portionextending into the space between said roller and the face of said bladetoward which said roller rotats, said partition having a groove in theedge portions thereof presented to said roller, a metal scaling stripseated in said groove and curved to embrace said roller in runningcontact with the latter and extending to a point spaced from said faceof said blade, a pad of pliant scaling material extending from the endof said metal strip at said point about the edge of said angular portionof said partition in contact with said roller and said face of saidblade, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes therein openingto the face thereof presented to said roller, and means for supplyinglubricant to said groove for passage of the same through said holes tolubricate the surface of said strip contacting said roller, the latterserving as an incident to its rotation to carry lubricant from the stripto the surface of said pad contacting said roller.

EMORY W. WORTHINGTON.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

